Three branches of the major DIY chain, Homebase, are set to reopen under a new name on Good Friday, April 18. The former Homebase stores, which closed earlier this year, will resume trading as The Range with garden centres by Homebase in time for the Easter rush.

Three revived shops will open on Friday in Sevenoaks, Kent; Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire; and Portlaoise, Ireland. Four more stores will follow a week after on Friday 25 April, in Haverfordwest, Wales; Drakehouse Park, Sheffield; Rayleigh Weir, Essex; and Nutgrove, Dublin. The DIY and garden retailer fell into administration in November last year, which it owed to a decline in both consumer confidence and post-pandemic spending.

Parent company of The Range and Wilko, CDS Superstores, struck a deal with Homebase to save around 70 stores.

B&Q took over five branches, and the former Homebase sites in Altrincham, Basingstoke, Biggleswade, Leamington Spa and Worcester are due to be converted into B&Q stores this spring.

Up until now, 36 former Homebase stores have reopened under new The Range branding, including three last week.

Two others openings are scheduled for next month, with Market Harborough, Leicestershire, set to open on May 2 and Clitheroe, Lancashire, set for May 16.